Alice F. Downs
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Alice F. Downs died on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2016 at First Christian Church.
She was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 19, 1936, to Faye and William Edgar O’Daniel.
Alice was passionate about her immediate and extended family. One of her last statements was to see her youngest granddaughter in her hospital room and say, “I love you, Photina.”
Alice is survived by her husband, Cal, professor emeritus from KU; her son, Kevin Downs in Arlington, Virginia; daughter, Allyson Downs Adrian, son-in-law, Steve Adrian; granddaughters, Yazmine Adrian, Gretchen Adrian, Marcena Adrian, and Photina Adrian, all from Arlington, Virginia; and brother, Bill O’Daniel, Denver, Colorado and many other relatives in Louisiana and Texas.
Alice and Cal were married in Geneva, Switzerland, with a second ceremony in Nice, France. They made their first home in Vicenza, Italy. Alice loved languages and cultures and adventure – together they made many trips to the Orient, Europe, and Mideast; and their lives were enriched by the many friends they made while living in the UK, Austria, Australia, France, Italy, and Germany.
The love of music permeated her entire life, and gave her soul a lift. She started playing piano at the age of 3. At 15, she won a piano contest and played with the New Orleans Symphony. In high school and college she studied with internationally renowned pianist Silvio Scionti, and played throughout Texas and Louisiana. After graduating from North Texas University in Piano, she studied for two years on a Fulbright Scholarship in Paris, France, with Jacques Fevrier, a student of Ravel. Returning to the USA, she earned an M.A. degree at Michigan State University, again studying with Silvio Scionti. It was there that she met her husband Cal while playing the Rachmaninoff Second Piano Concerto—it was love at first hearing. Living in Maryland, she studied with Miecesau Muntz, from Julliard and developed a close friendship with pianist Ann Shein. Through the years, Alice played solo concerts in the USA, France, Holland, Italy, Costa Rica, and Australia. as well as performing with Orchestras in Michigan, Illinois, Washington D.C., Louisiana, Kansas, and Texas.
As a faculty member at KU for 29 years, Alice frequently collaborated with Edward Laut, Larry Maxey, Vince Gnojek, Rita Sloan, and Linda Maxey. She was excited to premier several pieces composed by John Pozdro. And a favorite memory was playing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue both with Robert Foster and the KU Symphonic Band and later with Linda Maxey accompanying her on Alice’s final KU recital in 2003.
She was passionate about teaching. Even in college, she gave lessons to piano students in order to pay for her own lessons with her beloved Silvio Scionti. He was her great mentor in music and later in life she was thrilled to perform memorial concerts in his honor in Sicily at the invitation of the Italian Academy of Arts and Science and Letters. It was in Chicago, however, that she studied under Guy Duckworth who instilled in her a love of specific teaching methods and added that sense of discovery and dynamism to her teaching. Her methods were appreciated by her university students and The Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center gave her an Outstanding Teacher Award at KU.
In addition to teaching at KU, Alice also taught piano privately and was active in the Lawrence music community as a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, Federated Music Teachers, and Lawrence Music Club. As president of Friends of Music, she oversaw scholarships and helped start the Lawrence Civic Choir and the Lawrence Symphony. She and Janet Marquis founded Concerts for Young People which sponsored opera and classical music concerts for students of elementary school age. The operas included Hansel and Gretel, Magic Flute, Don Pasquale, and Cinderella. One of her proudest achievements was to commission John Pozdro and John Clifford to write a children’s opera, Malooley and the Fear Monster, which was performed throughout Kansas.
A deeply spiritual person, Alice was an active teacher and participant in churches wherever she lived. She saw God’s goodness in people and was one of the most gracious and non-judgmental people one could meet. Her insights enabled her to be an open and genuine friend and the family appreciated the loyalty that friends showered on her. Her faith and grace were the resources she drew on to enjoy 10 years of life following paralysis from a stroke which required 24-hour care. She lived her life with grace and charm and, despite the stroke, she lived the abundant life going to hear the Kansas City Symphony and celebrating good times with family and friends.
Memorials are suggested for Medical Ministries International, the KU School of Music, or the Carl Preyer Scholarships by Lawrence Music Club and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
I am sad to hear of the passing of Alice Downs. She was a caring person, elegant woman, and an outstanding and devoted musician and teacher. She contributed greatly to the excellent piano program at KU.
Cal, So verrrrry sorry for your loss. I never met Alice since
you were always the one who brought the info to my office,
but, after all those years, I still felt I knew her.
My heart aches this morning, but I am glad Alice is resting in peace. Finally. Not only was she an incredibly gifted pianist, but she was a wonderful friend and SAI sister. Love and peace to Cal, Allison and Kevin.
I am so very sorry to hear Alice has passed away. She was a very beautiful, elegant, classy person and I always enjoyed seeing her in the office. RIP Alice!
What a gifted, great and brave lady! We keep Cal and this family in our prayers.
Oh, Cal, how my heart aches for you. My hope is that Alan and Alice are now collaborating again in making beautiful music together, and perhaps Alan has even composed that new piece that he promised Alice. May music soothe your heart in the loss of your beautiful and talented wife.
I am so saddened by Alice’s passing. I always knew her as Mrs. Downs and she had such a profound impact on me as a student at KU. She was a gift to all of us who knew her and I have many incredibly fond memories of Christmas chamber music parties and brilliant coaching sessions. Her legacy at KU will last a long time.
I am deeply saddened to learn of Alice’s passing. She was not only one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever known, but she was one of the most giving, compassionate, generous, and inspiring people you could ever be privileged to know. I am so grateful for having had the honor of being her student and friend. My family and I send our sincere condolences to Alice’s family.
We want to express our condolences to Professor Down’s family. We are so sad about this news. We will always remember Prof. Downs as the great teacher and friend she was to us.
Prof. Downs was a gem that we lost too soon. She was a great teacher and advisor. She was one of the most musical people I have ever met. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to study with her.
To Cal, Kevin and Allyson, We grieve with you at the loss of Alice. She was a dear lady and we have so many memories of wonderful times spent at the Down’s home. We loved our time in Lawrence and we were made to feel very special by the hospitality we felt whenever we were at Alice’s home. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with you all.
To Cal & family: I would give anything to attend Alice’s memorial service, but will have to settle for writing, to offer heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Alice really, truly was the person & teacher who gave me what I own in style, technique, and musicality as a pianist. I studied with her for just four years—my high school years—but her dedication to me and faith in my potential took me so much farther than I’d imagined possible. (I still smile when I remember the two of us trying to rehearse Mendelssohn concerto in the Washburn Univ. practice rooms, playing to each other across the hall with the doors open…!) Forty years ago, Alice hosted my high school graduation recital before she sent me off to KU, but I think she has never really been very far from me. Every keystroke, every phrase, every color I make is with Alice at my side, and that will always be so. With love, Nancy
Please accept our condolences on the loss of a wonderful wife, Mother and Grandmother. An exceptional person, an exceptional life which will not be forgotten by those she touched with her music, wit and intelligence.
At peace and hitting those keys again.
Our thoughts are with you all, Charley & April
Alice was such a wonderful and talented person. I have many fond memories of time at the Downs’ home during my doctoral work at KU. Alice would be practicing for an upcoming concert or teaching a private student. She was a wonderful musician and gifted teacher. She was also a gracious hostess, making everyone feel welcome in her home. You will be greatly missed, Alice. Thank you for your part in making the world a better place.
Dear Cal and Family,
Alice was a lovely and talented woman. I know she is at peace. My sympathy and thoughts are with you and your family.
Kaye Moeser
Chris and Carter
MY wife, Rosalyn, and I were sorry to learn that Alice Downs died. We enjoyed knowing her. Her family has our sympathy.
Allice Downs taught piano to our daughter, Amanda Burmeister. Mary O. Fearing recommended Mrs. Downs after having taught Amanda for several years, knowing Alice would provide instruction at a high level. Under the tutelage of Mrs. Downs, Amanda developed into a skillful manipulator of the keyboard and performed with the Lawrence Civic Orchestra. Amanda went on to a career as an electrical engineer with a masters degree. Her experience with Mrs. Downs imparted the discipline, insight, and rigor needed for musical excellence that also was part of the foundation on which success in all areas is based.
I have been blessed to know Alice in three areas of my life – as a music education student at KU in the 70s while Alice was faculty, as a member of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity with Alice after my college graduation, and as a fellow church member at First Christian Church in Lawrence. I have always been appreciative of Alice’s grace, humor, spirituality, and love for others, and, of course, her beautiful music. She brought so much life to the world around her and left a mark of beauty wherever she went. My thoughts and prayers go out to you Cal and the family. May you all be comforted in the great spirit of love and grace.
Dear Cal,
I extend heartfelt condolences to you and family in the loss of your wife. May wonderful memories of your years together
sustain you. You, both, contributed greatly to KU, so you leave a wonderful legacy.
Allyson and family, I so enjoyed reading about your mother and wife. I can see that she was a wonderful woman, gifted in music and rich in her faith and devoted in her love for her family. Allyson is such a wonderful blessing in our community. Her mother’s grace is seen in the child. Warmly, Cindy Browning Wehner
So very sad. A beautiful friend whom I will always hold near to my heart.
Bill